Date: Tue, 28 Nov 2006 11:55:00 +0000
From: Jo Vincent
Subject: Mystery and Mayhem at St Mark's: 16a
Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's
by
Joel
Some of the Characters Appearing or Mentioned:
Mark Henry Foster The story-teller: Pennefather
Organ Scholar 2001
Tristan (Tris) Price-Williams His well-proportioned boyfriend
Francis [Toad] Foster Mark's younger brother
Ivo Richie Carr Mark's cousin: chunky and
cheeky with it
Adam Benjamin Carr Ditto, as his twin
Oliver Jensen A Musical undergraduate with allure
Matthew Thyssen Another organ scholar [1999] studying
English
Drew Penry-Jones A third organ scholar [2000] studying
Natural Sciences
Rev Dr Basil Henson A very astute Chaplain
Dr Eric Mays Master of St Mark's College
Fiona McKenzie A Mathematical undergraduate with presence
Dina Patel A Mathematical undergraduate with
prescience
'Tory (Victoria) Machin A good friend of Ivo's and a true
bluestocking
Aubrey Fullerton QC A celebrity Law don
Mrs Miranda Fullerton His motherly wife
Mr Simon Finch-Hampton A two-faced History don
Dr Safar Al-Hamed A knowledgeable Music don
Professor James Tanner A formidable Mathematics don
Bradley Wolstencroft A Detective Chief Inspector, a leatherman off
duty [Brad]
Dudley Woolpit A Detective Sergeant, a leatherman off duty [Whippet;
Dude]
Carl Bachmann A Detective Constable, a leatherman off duty [Carlo;
Batman]
Francesco Matteoli Designer and uncle of Mark and Francis
Aldo Leopardi Companion of Uncle Francesco with a surprise in
store
Mirabelle Fane-Stuart Mother
Edward Jensen Oliver's younger brother with extra allure
Brinley (Harry) Potter An unbright boatie: Dead
16. (Part One) After the beginning of Term: Oct 2001
Sunday went swimmingly, at least the morning did. We were up and
about early - both sporting our usual morning hard-ons. I was firmly
admonished to keep my hands off. The pleasure first was in the running.
Whatever happened after was added delight. I pouted and asked what
happened if I stumbled and fell and twisted an ankle? The Master had
commanded me. Wasn't that an overriding factor? I was kicked
unceremoniously out of my lovely bed and four minutes and a difficult piss
later was tucking my rampant shaft into my new jockstrap and pulling on my
rather fetching new very short dark red running shorts. There was a tap on
the outer door. Tris, already arrayed in all his loveliness, opened the
doors. A vision, also arrayed in running togs, stood there. Oliver was
ready. Tris was ready. I sneered and tied that second bow. The three of
us stood in a row. Three visions of loveliness. OK, two and me. Tris
smacked my backside.
"Right, off you go, you're leading us today. Same route as yesterday
but you judge how much further."
Right, I thought, you virtuous fuck-pig, bastard of the ninety-ninth
order, twat of twats and c... I couldn't go on, I just giggled and set off
with the two of them following. There wasn't a howling gale, just a chilly
Cambridge October breeze, I ran steadily listening to the pair following
about six feet behind. I wasn't bad, I felt, a steady pace, breathing deep
- after about half a mile I did feel an ache in my side but took several
deep breaths and it went. OK, we passed the earlier landmark and I still
felt fine but better not press my luck. I saw a hedge ahead and that was
my goal. We had gone on about a further mile. I turned on my heel and was
rewarded by a couple of smart slaps as we ran back.
"You shower first," I was commanded, this time not by the Master, but
Tris. Actually we all showered more or less together, only two getting in
the cubicle at a time but dripping on my floor. Three very happy lads, all
with hard-ons up to our navels. Still dripping, we stood in a row and
three right-handed lads let forth their morning loads within moments of
each other straight into the cubicle. We stood and grinned at each other
as our cocks now flopped and we grabbed the towels I had left hanging the
day before.
"First time I did it like that was just before that PE master said the
three of us were well-made. We'd just done it so we were still rather
psyched-up. What a memory. I've thought of that occasion many times but
we didn't dare repeat it until after he got the push," said Oliver,
"Thanks, I needed that. I've often wondered if I'd ever stop especially if
I ever reached eighteen!"
Just as when Tris and I had had those wonderful experiences with the
twins I had felt no embarrassment, no nervousness - we were friends all
needing that sublime release. I wondered though if it would lead to more?
If it came to it, no doubt Tris and I would feel the same about Oliver as
we did about the twins. We were able to share ourselves to a great extent,
but there was a limit, or, perhaps a barrier, of some sort. I knew what it
was. I looked at Oliver, then at Tris. I liked Oliver, but, I loved Tris.
"That wasn't the only time?" Tris asked.
Oliver shook his head. "No, the three of us had a pact. Just us and
no one else. Last time was the last night before we left school." He
smiled. "Before that we just watched each other. That last night we
actually helped each other. First time anyone else had ever done it to me
and it was twice that night." He looked from Tris to me. "I will never
forget that. It was something I'd always dreamed of. I'm not asking you
for anything more but you'll see that I don't come to any harm if I try to
find someone." He looked rather sad for a moment or two. "I thought last
night I might have found someone. That Dave's terrific but as we danced we
did talk and he told me he was really in love with Carl and it was breaking
his heart. I could feel it was. He said that dancing with me up close was
helping him, but..." He smiled. "I was so pleased when Carl wanted that
last dance with him. I'd like someone like Dave or Carl," He put out both
arms, "Or you two!"
What could we do but hug him. Three, nude, happy young men. Tris
pecked him on his cheek.
"You'll have to have every possible one vetted by us," he said, "If
they're well-hung, wash regularly and know how to make a good breakfast you
might get a look in once we've worn them out. Now my friend here, who
qualifies on all three criteria, will demonstrate his culinary skills as
soon as he puts a suitable pinny on. Get to it, Marky."
Ouch! I'll have to tell him to go easy on my bum. That's more than
one red hand- print I'd have showing if my still rather deep tan didn't
hide them. Anyway I went to the bedroom and put on a pair of Matteoli
cargoes and a deep rust-coloured Matteoli top. Oliver had trotted off and
returned very spruce-looking in the same sort of gear but not Matteoli.
Tris had opted for an old rugger shirt and mucky looking cutoffs which I
had noted had already migrated to a shelf in my wardrobe even after only
three days in College.
"Have to have something casual to wear around the house," he said when
I remarked on his cavalier attitude to my space. "You can leave what you
like upstairs, but I prefer you naked up there!"
Oliver laughed. "I think I prefer him naked, too, except I would
spend all my time staring at him."
"Don't tell him that, his head's big enough as it is. But I agree, he
does stand a glance or two, now and again."
"If you want any breakfast, cut the cackle and get the table ready," I
said, "And I'll do scrambled eggs with a bit of that smoked salmon in."
That shut them up and we were soon tucking into the grub. Once
finished Tris and Oliver went off to get ready and I got out my new suit
and my ARCO gown and hood. I'd asked Matt about wearing it. I knew that
other universities' academic dress was rather looked down on but he said he
always wore his, just in Chapel, so we would match. He said Drew
resolutely refused to wear his as he said it was elitist. Actually, I
preferred my ARCM hood, it was a bit more colourful against the black with
the crimson edge of the other. Still, there was I all arrayed in my glory
when Tris and Oliver came down in their shorty undergraduates' gowns.
"You'll get fitted out with your choir robes and surplice before next
Sunday," said Tris to Oliver, "All plain today."
I looked out over the organ loft rail and watched as a horde of
students and others began to enter the chapel. I had timed my Bach so was
ready and playing when Matt came up. "Master's just in," he whispered as I
got to the final page. At the end I slid off the seat so Matt could start
the first hymn after the Chaplain had welcomed all. Everything went
smoothly and then after the final hymn as Matt slid off one end of the
bench I slid on the other. 'All pistons go!' and I was off. Matt stood
and watched as I played and was laughing as I played those last two bars.
"Best I've heard," he said, "That Bombarde's my favourite too!"
We switched the motor off and went down. The congregation hadn't all
dispersed and the Master was chatting to everyone around. When he spotted
Matt and me he came over and said how much he enjoyed the hymns and the
voluntaries. "I want to put the Chapel on the map a bit more, recitals,
perhaps a readings and music evening. You plan and I'll agree. Your
father and mother coming will boost things I'm sure," he said to me, "But
it'll be a team effort. Come over to the house on Wednesday for dinner and
we'll discuss it. See the other one and ask him, too."
Matt and I looked at each other. The Master was obviously getting
niggled by the opposition and we were enlisted! As he left us Fiona and
Dina came over with Tris, Oliver and the twins. Ivo was accompanied by a
young lady not, I would say, beautiful, but strikingly different in looks
and demeanour from any other girl I had seen so far.
Ivo was almost diffident in his introduction. "Let me introduce my
very great friend 'Tory," he said, "She's reading French like me and we
share interests."
I was waiting for some comment from Adam about the interests as I
realised this was the girl with whom Ivo was smitten. Wisely Adam kept his
mouth shut as we were all introduced to her. She explained her name was
really Victoria but her young brother had called her 'Tory when very young
and it stuck. I knew why Ivo was smitten. One realised she was very
clever, but not in a pedantic pompous way, in short, she was stunning, not
only as a person but academically as well.
"As soon as you get sorted we're all going in for lunch. Jason's
saved us a table," Adam said.
I sat between Fiona and Dina at lunch and while Dina was chatting to
Tris next to her Fiona asked if I'd read through the lecture list.
"I had a quick look, but I've been rather busy with the music and
sorting myself out," I said, "I saw there are about seven courses we have
to take and I'm not sure about the computing, or the grading, and it looks
like loads of lectures."
She laughed. "Over two hundred hour long lectures I think," she said,
"And on Saturdays, too! Dina and I are going to make a team for
discussion. Want to join?"
I said I'd better as what I'd read in the syllabus seemed formidable.
I said that although I liked Maths I hadn't got much confidence.
"One of the Second Years told me if Professor Tanner's your tutor he
must think you're OK and he's considered to be an excellent tutor," she
said and laughed, "And Dina and I have decided as he'll be tutoring you,
you can pass on his wisdom. I found last year at school, explaining things
to someone else made it seem clearer and made it stick. First lecture's at
ten tomorrow, don't forget!"
After lunch I checked the lecture list carefully. Oh, my God! Nine
or so lectures a week and two scheduled supervisions, plus the work
involved in doing the problems set, my time would be parcelled out and I
had my other duties to perform and I wanted to be in the orchestra and
there was Tris and the others.... I looked at three pages of notes and a
couple of problems Professor Tanner had left for me in my pigeon-hole. It
wasn't so much the problems but the notation was new. Yes, he'd explained
it but was I doing it correctly? Would I ever be OK?..... I opened
another envelope. Another couple of pages 'Sets' this time. I found the
textbook we'd been advised to buy. I read the opening chapter and breathed
a partial sigh of relief. I'd come across one or two of the ideas before,
but...... I turned the page....
"What's the matter, Marky," Tris said as he brought a pot of tea into
my study at four o'clock. "You've been in here all afternoon and I haven't
had a peep out of you. I've managed to sketch out a response to a most
contentious litigant and other than saying a good kick up the bum might
sort the matter out a bit quicker I think it's OK." He took one look at my
morose countenance. "Leave that and come into the other room."
We went into the main room and he actually cuddled me as if I was a
five-year-old with all the cares of the world. I had all the cares of the
world, my little world and I hadn't even started, yet. I said I felt
unworthy, I didn't know any Maths, I'd better go home.
"You bloody great fool," he whispered in my ear as he held me tight,
"You haven't even started. How do you think I felt last year and I never
had anyone here to talk to. The first three weeks I could have given up
any time. Mrs Fullerton saw I was a bit low one day when I went to their
house for a tutorial and she gave me a motherly talk and said her husband
or she were always on hand. They were and they helped. You've got me this
year. I don't know any bloody Maths but we can always talk. Come on, spit
it out, we're all in the same boat."
We clutched each other and I did feel better but I knew I needed more
confidence. We went across to Hall for early supper and we went to bed
early and lay and loved each other. "I didn't have all this last year,
either," he said as we exchanged the last kiss before sleeping.
I was up first in the morning. It was my turn to wake him, already
clad in my running gear. I reached under the duvet and almost yanked him
out of bed by his hard-on. "Bloody hell!," he yelled as his feet touched
the floor as I assisted him with my other hand round his butt.
"Come on, tardy-bum, the morning's here and we're off for our run,
remember?" I had great delight in saying. Wrong thing to say as within a
few minutes, with Oliver arriving, too, we were off with Tris in the lead.
"What did you give him this morning," Oliver panted in my ear as we
almost sped along by the Cam, "Bloody dynamite up his arse?"
"He's just showing off he's all boy," I managed to say while drawing
in deeper breaths than I think I ever had before.
We turned at the point we'd reached the day before in what must have
been record time. Oliver and I took the grin off his face as we each gave
him a resounding slap on his backside as he turned. "I'll have you two
fuckers for that," he mouthed. Good job he didn't say it too loudly as
three young lady runners came up and passed us. They smiled sweetly, but
were safe from rape and pillage as we followed a slightly slower Tristan
back to College. Oliver declined offers of a shower and breakfast and went
off up to his room. We showered together in my cubicle. As we finished
rinsing I turned the water off and dropped to my knees. "Let's see if you
really are all boy," I said and sucked him dry. He wrapped a towel round
me and almost carried me to the bed where he had his first cream of the
day.
"Think of that, and more to come as the saying goes, when you're
little brain gets tired today," he said and kissed me and passed some of
that cream to me.
The day passed. The two morning lectures were packed with information
and I scribbled down all the stuff on the boards and annotated it with the
lecturers' comments. I picked up the worksheets and sighed a sigh of
relief. I suppose I had taken in a quarter of the exposition but I
realised that it did make sense. Fiona and Dina were quite upbeat too,
though we saw a few weary looking mentally challenged warriors who frowned
and made faces whenever a new concept or line of reasoning went up. I had
sat between the two girls and I think the three of us felt quite virtuous
as we compared notes as we walked back from the Mill Lane rooms. "We've
all got a tutorial at two, so let's meet up at four to compare notes."
OK, I would be entertaining females in my rooms but I invited them. I
said I had a dining table we could sit round. That was that. Professor
Tanner at two was very supportive. I confessed I had doubts - not quite
the same as the confession to the Chaplain - he laughed and said how did I
think he felt when he had to lecture on the stuff or give a paper on
something he thought he might have discovered. Right, the hour became an
hour and a half and I came out feeling I had learned something. The hour
and a half with the girls meant we had solved all the problems set and we
had explained things to each other and I thought they would stick.
Tris came back from basketball practice as they left. As he was still
in long shorts and a skimpy top he got an appraising look. "I'm off-limits
you know," he said to their laughter. "We know and we're a bit envious,"
said Dina, "But at least he'll share his brain with us if not his body!" I
blushed.
After the meal in Hall I invited Oliver to join Tris and me for a chat
about the day and have a snifter of the brandy from the almost depleted
bottle. Oliver was all praise for Dr Al- Hamed and he'd met his wife who
was also an oboist. Ah, ha! I needed three oboes for accompanying an aria
in that Christmas Cantata! He thought he would be kept busy and I said I
didn't think, I knew!
We were disturbed by a thump on the door. Tris got up and opened it.
There was a clinking sound as Ivo and Adam came striding in with
Sainsbury's bags and then stood looking at us.
"Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentis!" intoned Ivo, holding
up a bag which looked as if it held two or three bottles.
"...And he means the big hairy ones with moustaches, and they're only
the mothers!" said Adam, laden with two bags of packs and packages.
"OK, OK," I said, "We all did do some Latin and you look less Greek
than those odd shaped creatures with little willies on their vases."
"Never seen a Greek willy," said Ivo, "Only those Italian sorts on you
and Nesto and you'd need more than one of those little fig-leaves to cover
your modesty."
"Thanks," I said, "At least you recognise greatness when its born and
when its thrust upon you!"
"Now, now," said Adam, "You're letting family secrets out in front of
the little'un here. Still, what I remember about him he's probably grown
even more since then."
Tris had taken one of the bags from Adam and was peering into it.
"What's all this?"
"Well, having eaten you out of house and home we thought we might use
some of Adam's hard earned cash to replenish stocks and then if we come
running with you we can all have brekkie together, eh?"
Tris and I looked at each other and then at Oliver and we all nodded.
"I'll chip in, too," said Oliver, "I think I know where Sainsbury's is."
"And what were you doing, sweet one," Ivo was looking at me, "with
delectable tottie surrounding you this morning? You were spied on King's
Parade practically being devoured by two heavenly creatures...."
"....You've met them, Saturday evening, Fiona and Dina," I interrupted
his usual exaggerated story. "I wasn't being devoured, just being escorted
so I wouldn't be picked up by some rough boatie who might want to ravish
me."
"In your dreams, sunshine. They're nice, though....., Adam!" he
called to his brother who had gone through to the kitchen with Tris, "You
could do worse than toss your cap in the ring for either of that pair...."
He looked at me. "D'you think they'd bite?"
"Having mixed your metaphors, I don't know. I have no idea how girls
work." I laughed, "And from what you've said in the past, even with your
experience, you find it difficult to know what's coming next."
"Am I being discussed?" said Adam coming back in bearing a tray with
glasses of red wine on it. "I heard you. Yes, either, but I'm resting at
present. Too much work and no time to play. Simon has set three essays to
be completed in strict sequence and quickly and it means hours in the
Library. I need to keep up my grades if I want to go on with research."
Adam being serious for once was new but I had formed an opinion long ago
there was a very bright person underneath the joker.
We sat and savoured the wine, plus a plate of tidbits they said were
half price as the sell by date was today. I had noted that Ivo hadn't
commented on the 'Simon'. Then Ivo looked at Adam. "Tell them what you
found out when you were on that building site job."
Adam looked at Oliver first. "You heard about the two deaths here
last year?" Oliver nodded. Adam then looked at Tris and me. "I didn't
tell you all this when we were in Italy but from what Whippet said to me on
Saturday evening when we were leaving I think it may be important. I want
you to listen and see what you think." We all took a sip of our wine and
waited.
"When I was on the site down in Wales I shared a caravan with another
lad. He's up at Durham doing a Masters and, like me, was earning a bit of
pocket-money. He was a big lad, bigger than me and he really did work."
"Get on with your tale and stop blethering... Big lad was he? You
like big lads. I bet the caravan rocked at night a bit, eh?" said Ivo.
"Shut up, I'll tell it at my own speed and for once be serious!" said
Adam, "This is interesting and you said so, too, when I told you."
Suitably admonished Ivo sat back, "To continue..., what he said was that he
had been at a Public School in the neighbourhood, same name as the village
we were staying in, Llantrimeric. In fact, the houses we were helping to
build were on a piece of land the school had sold off. You could see some
of the buildings across the valley. He'd read about Brinley and that he'd
been found drowned and he said he'd been at school with him and he was a
bit of a clot and easily led.
"He did tell me one story which was rather horrible. He said just
after he'd left there was a great kerfuffle because three or four of the
Sixth had been out running and had found a local lad in the woods and for a
bit of a lark had tied him up and the story was a couple of them stayed
behind and just about raped him or something. He'd heard about it from a
friend who was still in the Sixth at the time and he said everyone in the
school knew who was involved and it seemed he did as well but he didn't
tell me. The kid's parents kicked up a stink but nothing could be done as
no one owned up and there was no more evidence, but the kid was really
mentally battered as well. Apparently he was about fourteen or fifteen at
the time and was a very clever lad as well and it all just about sent him
round the bend.
"I said I knew Jeremy Foskett who had been at school with Brin as
well.
Without prompting he went on to say there was quite a lot of drugs in the
school and he had the impression that the Honourable Jeremy might be
involved as he often visited the school even though he'd left some years
previously." He laughed. "I got the impression the school was renowned
for thuggery, druggery and buggery from all accounts. Anyway, he said
Foskett knew Brin in any case because they lived near each other and Brin
had been his fag when he'd been in his first year at the school. Quite a
tale."
It was and we were all silent. "Tell them what Whippet said," said
Ivo.
"Saturday night you were all looking at Whippet's bike and he said to
me that he'd like to come and talk to us about Brin again as there was some
new evidence which had cropped up just a few days before. Should I say
anything about the rape of the kid? Do you think it's important? It
doesn't seem connected, does it? From what Darren said Brin wasn't
involved I'm sure but there's something odd about Jeremy."
It was a puzzle. We chewed it over quite a bit. I think we came to
the conclusion that if Whippet raised any questions about kids being
sexually assaulted then Adam should say what he had heard. But, how far
was the story true? Could the kid have made it up to cover his own sexual
explorations? We'd all read about fifteen-year-olds hanging themselves in
search of some weird sexual gratification. Also, Jeremy seemed more the
drugs pusher as he was very interested in his money and, we thought, any
other drugs which Brin might have been looking after for him. Did someone
know about Brin and the drugs? We didn't know. Wait and see what Whippet
had to say.
I think we were all a bit solemn and just slightly pissed as we had to
open another bottle to pass the next hour. It didn't stop Tris and me
performing a slightly athletic pas de deux, clinging to each other rather
tightly and giggling a bit on his narrow bed. Again the rumblings and
rushings in the wall happened about six o'clock but we were more intrigued
than perturbed and got up at half six and five of us went off for the run.
"No nice fifteen- year-olds for you to have your way with this morning," I
whispered to Tris as we passed two large young men who would have made
mincemeat out of us if we'd attempted to pull their shorts down over their
meaty thighs with evil intentions.
Lectures, working problems, discussion with the girls, another very
worthwhile tutorial with Professor Tanner, so the week passed. Dinner at
the Master's House was not as formal as I would have thought. His wife
obviously knew the best way to a boy's heart was through his stomach and we
had a good, substantial meal, served by Sean, and plenty of discussion.
Actually, Drew wasn't as abrasive as I thought he would be. He drank water
rather than the very nice wine and remained relatively silent and looked
rather twitchy and not really paying much attention while the Master
outlined his plan using the Chapel music to raise some needed funds for the
College and to get rid of the rather third-class image we had in many
university minds.
"This College," the Master said, raising his glass and swirling the
contents, "Has always had the reputation of attracting the cream of the
country's young men." He considered the contents of the glass and smiled
"Yes, rich and thick!" I hadn't heard that one. "As you are aware this
government is trying to manage the entry to universities, especially those
that are seen as elitist." I had the suspicion his gaze was then directed
at Drew. "We have been instructed to widen our input and there have been
repercussions already. We have relied very much in the past on various
families who have sent generations of sons here. It was their generosity
which has kept the College going. We desperately need money for repairs.
The Chapel is funded almost entirely from the Pennefather Bequest but we
can't be seen to do expensive work there when we need accommodation for
more students. We are in a cleft stick. If we don't have a few places for
those families then their benefactions are likely to cease. The Lloyd's
fiasco dealt us a dreadful blow. A number of our prime contributors came
to sorry ends with that. So, in common parlance, every penny helps."
He looked at me. "Your father's generous offer is a start. We also
want to use the Chapel resources more. The Christmas celebrations will
draw in some other funds." He laughed. "Entry will be free, but we might
put the rugger team on the door on the way out with collecting boxes!"
"Eric!" His wife said.
So Dad's recital was the first big venture. The Master said he had
already contacted him and Dad had suggested it would be an all-French
recital. Dad had arranged the date with Roger, his usual accompanist, and
Safar said he was rather glad as it would have meant a good deal of
practice for him. I guessed anyway what the main piece would be.
Both Matt and I agreed we would give Wednesday evening short recitals,
free, but with a retiring collection, without the rugger team! "At least
the organ is well-known and that should draw in the cognoscenti," the
Master said. Even Drew said he would arrange a 'recital' with his group as
they were getting quite well-known in the 'more forward-looking churches
around' as he put it. The Master said the Chaplain's secretary would be
our liaison and main organiser. "Mrs Davies is most efficient," he said.
So, I would have to start practising in earnest!
In the meantime, Charles was getting frantic, hands flapping, mane
swirling. His arrangements were meticulous but, what would happen if?....
I found Mum, Dad and the Toad were invited, too. Posh! Staying at the
Garden House with Unc and Aldo! Tris had Whippet's phone number and we
arranged to keep out of Charles' way by going to the club on Friday night.
Whippet said he hoped Brad would be there too and if Tris got fed up with
me he'd be first in line. I felt flattered. I liked Whippet, he had
flair... and, of course, a fine sense of judgement!
We kept the alcohol intake level down as I didn't Mum and Dad, and
especially Toad, to see me with another hangover. Brad was there and the
twenty-pound notes were waved and a round of scotches appeared. Brad was
everything Tris had described. As big as Whippet, very close cropped hair
but a moustache and small beard and the leather harness, chaps and very
classy boots with spurs.
"So you're the other half," he said with a chuckle. "I can see why
Carly-boy got nowhere. I gave him an extra duty when I heard of his offer.
Still, last I heard there's a love- nest now out Grantchester way."
There were many stories bandied about. I asked how he got into
leather and after the usual 'with difficulty if it's too tight' he said
he'd been in the Horse Guards as a squaddie and rather liked the uniform
and his CO was a bit on the bent side as far as S & M went. He didn't go
all the way himself but he'd earned an extra penny or two acting as a
waiter or attendant at various uproarious parties and dinners in the West
End and at country houses. "Could tell you a tale or two about the gentry
and their habits," he said with a wink. "There's a few offspring who don't
belong to daddy in more than one family but they'll be tall and handsome
just like a Guardsman. I got married and the missus put the kibosh on all
that so I left and joined the Met and then transferred here. That's how I
met the lads and we discussed things. I rose in the ranks quite quickly.
I was lucky over a few cases and now you see me as I am. My wife really
didn't like the hours I worked and found the tax inspector she worked for
had a bigger dick or more cash in his pocket..." 'More cash!' intoned
Whippet and held his hands out about two inches apart. "...so she left me
with the lad. He's coming up to twenty now and shags every girl in sight
just to show he's not like Dad." He laughed. "What he hasn't worked out
is I'm not gay, I just like the lifestyle!"
I had a couple of dances with Tris, then Whippet and another nicely
toned lad who kept eyeing Tris as well but seemed too shy to ask. I led
the lad over and Tris and he were really the stars of the evening. Two of
the 'monsters' came over and bought as all a drink. "Glad to see you,
Brad," one said, "Got a little problem with neighbours. Need a word in
their ear." Brad nodded.
"We get that sometimes. A bit of harassment here and there and it's
amazing what we find out when we visit. It's usually the evil ones who
have something to hide who are the mouthiest. I think I know who Godfrey's
on about. Monday morning early if nothing else crops up. Godfrey's a good
sort, very kind heart, he's rescued quite a few lads who don't know which
way they swing. They're usually the bullied ones, too. Bulgy's one of
them. Thinks the world of Godders."
Neither he nor Whippet mentioned anything about new evidence and I
didn't say that I was working well with Fiona. See what happens during the
week.
Saturday dawned bright and breezy. I was glad of furry legs I said to
Tris as we set off for our run. Not to worry as we all warmed up quickly
and the five of us, with Adam in the lead went on another hedge-worth.
They laughed when we got back at my new standard of measurement. I said it
was as good as saying that Nelson's Column was so many London buses high.
Oh dear, I got four slaps for that and that was on my bare bum as Tris held
me while Ivo pulled my shorts down.
"A well-formed arse that," he said, "I remember thinking that at
Disneyland all those many moons ago. You're lucky you can gaze on it,
young Tris, when you want and I bet young Nesto wishes he was here as he
gazed on it fondly most days at the Villa. Thinking about it, young
Nesto..."
"....What the hell are you on about now, Ivo Fat-arse?" said Adam
coming over and pinging the elastic of my jockstrap, "You're the one who
could do with peering at their own backside. Ugh, you've got more pimples
on it than a giraffe's got spots and as for hair up the crack..."
"Why be so disparaging about the hair up his crack?" asked Tris, all
innocence, "When he was in the shower after last Saturday's match I thought
he looked must delectable with the water making those lovely trails...."
"Stop taking the piss,"retorted Ivo, "And as for Nelson's Column
here," he pulled the waistband of my jockstrap away from my stomach, "I
guess that's at least two hands-breadths by my standard of measurement."
"Definitely three," said Tris, "But I've got smaller and more delicate
hands than you."
"Will you all shut up and let me go," I said trying to control my
laughter, "I need a pee and I need a shower. Go off to your own lairs,
shower and come back down and breakfast will be cooked for you."
"Need a pee?" said Adam, "Shall I come and help you find your
shrivelled Italian willy?"
Oliver hadn't joined in but was giggling and hopping from one foot to
the other. "I'm off, I need a pee, too!" He jogged off to a concerted
hiss which made me want to pee even more.
Over breakfast we discussed what we should wear. I decided on those
very stylish dark green trousers, a matching green shirt and the brocaded
jacket. I had got Signora Whatever, the screechy one, to tone down the
decoration on it, but it was still recognisably Matteoli. We lent Oliver a
shirt so, with Adam, Ivo and Tris also suitably arrayed in Matteoli finery,
the five of us could be seen to be supporting the clan!
However we had another duty to perform first. That afternoon we all
went along to stand in the roadway outside Senate House to see the students
march along ready to receive their degrees. Charles, arrayed in dark suit,
white tie and his long gown with the rabbit-fur edged BA hood looked very
smart. We spotted Mother standing with Aldo and Uncle Francesco and after
the ceremony we waited until they emerged. Mother was all one might
expect. She was tall, slim, very good-looking, dressed in a very expensive
looking black suit with just a hint of jewellery. I don't know what Aldo
must have thought after meeting her again after so many years, but the
combination of his sperm and her egg had produced Charles.
That evening, now changed into our finery, we walked to the Garden
House Hotel. Mother was now in some stupendous creation and greeted us
again warmly. Charles was in a fabulous black silk suit and looked just as
beautiful as his Mother as they stood in line with Aldo to welcome the
guests.
Mum and Dad just grinned when they saw the five of us, Tris, me, Adam
and Ivo and the new friend, Oliver. Toad eyed Oliver rather warily as I
introduced him, I think because I was holding on to him. Anyway, Toad was
soon away discussing adolescent matters with a clone of Oliver, his younger
brother Eddie. Everyone was so happy and the room soon seemed very
crowded. After dinner Charles gave a very witty speech and praised the
detective work of his very observant friends. What was a kind, but
expensive gesture, were the four little boxes sitting beside our place
settings. A Leopardi signet ring each.
Of course, Toad reminded me he would be appearing at four o'clock on
November the Fifth. I had stipulated that I had a very busy schedule with
two lectures in the morning and a tutorial at two, but there would be
fireworks on Midsummer Common in the evening! He and Eddie got on so well
I heard him asking Mum if he could come and stay some time at Christmas. I
suppose that would include Oliver as well!
Whippet appeared, by appointment, on Tuesday afternoon. Not in
uniform now but he was definitely the Detective Sergeant now, everything
had to be formal he reminded us. I was included in the group with Tris,
Ivo and Adam. What he told us was startling. Only about ten days ago
they'd had a phone-call from someone who lived in the row of small houses
by the river near the boathouses. This person said she'd been to Australia
to visit relatives and so hadn't been around when the inquest was held but
she'd just heard about the drowning of Brinley Potter and she was sure it
must have been the day when, looking out of her top-floor window late one
evening she'd seen two figures, quite different in size and the small one
had given the other either a bang on the top of his back or a great shove.
As she was ready packed and waiting for the taxi to pick her up to take her
to Heathrow she hadn't seen what happened then, she just thought at the
time it might be two students having an argument or just indulging in a bit
of horseplay. She had said she had seen a good few rowdy occasions in
front of the boathouses.
"Of course," DS Woolpit said, "This alters things. We need to know if
he was pushed or struck and this made him fall into the water. We know he
must have been dozy because of the strong sleeping pills, but this other
could have been material in causing him to fall in. As you know, the
College boat-house is about fifty or so feet further along the towpath.
Who would have been around there late in the evening?"
"Did you say a small figure? Brin was big. I should think about six
foot four. So what does small mean?" asked Ivo. "Most of the rowers are
big, usually five ten or more. But the coxes are very small. But Brin was
so tall, and chunky with it, that most people would look small against him.
I think I would. I'm five foot ten but he would be six inches taller than
me and probably two or three stone heavier, if not more."
Tris was nodding. "I'm about six foot and I had great difficulty in
shifting him off the floor. He was hefty as well as tall. I would guess
between fourteen and sixteen stone at least."
"You might find if there is a schedule for people working the machines
in the boat- house. They have a couple of ergometers in the upper room and
they always seem to be in use," said Adam. "I've tried them and often get
told they're for the rowers really."
The Detective Sergeant was writing all this down. "Thanks, there's
plenty there to think about. It did seem such an open and shut case and
trying to find anyone peddling drugs gets more difficult as time goes on.
As you've probably gathered most of the pubs get dealers in at times - the
same with the colleges. We're not so much interested in small amounts of
pot but when you've seen the results of the harder ones you'll realise how
we feel." He closed his notebook and looked from one to another of us.
"The next thing I'm telling you is strictly confidential, but again,
comments, observations, are what we need." We must have looked a very
solemn lot as he went on. "Because of that person coming forward the DCI
thought we'd better have another look at the other one."
Oh, Babyballs and the face down in the mud death! Strychnine there!
To be Continued: